Determinants of the Use of Certified Seed Potato among Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Potato Growers in Central and Eastern Kenya

Abstract

Potato yields in sub-Saharan Africa remain very low compared with those of developed countries. Yet potato is major food staple and source of income to the predominantly smallholder growing households in the tropical highlands of this region. A major cause of the low potato yields is the use of poor quality seed potato. This paper examines the factors determining the decision to use certified seed potato (CSP), as well as the intensity of its use, among potato growers with access to it. We focused on potato growers in the central highlands of Kenya and used regression analysis to test hypotheses relating to potential impediments of CSP use. The study found that the distance to the market (a proxy for transaction costs), household food insecurity, and asset endowment affect the decision to use CSP. However, the effect of the intensity of use of CSP depends on how the intensity variable is defined. Several other control variables also affect the decision and extent of CSP use. The study concludes that transaction costs, asset endowment, and household food insecurity play a major role in the decision by smallholder potato farmers to use CSP and the extent to which they do so. We also discuss the policy implications of the findings.

Making sense of farmers’ demand for seed of root, tuber and banana crops: a systematic review of methods

“…Eight studies in this category focused on the adoption of improved varieties in all five main RTB crops in Africa (Abebe et al 2013;Afolami et al 2015;Deffo and Demo 2003;Edmeades et al 2007;Nigussie et al 2016;Tarawali et al 2012). In addition, we identified studies on the adoption of planting material from rapid, disease-free propagation methods, such as tissue-culture bananas in Kenya (Wanyama et al 2016) and tissue-culture sweet potatoes in Zimbabwe (Mutandwa et al 2008), certified seed potatoes marketed by a private seed company in Kenya (Okello et al 2016). While the majority of studies focused on the adoption of certain varieties, four of the identified studies (Abebe et al 2013;Edmeades and Smale 2006;Okello et al 2016;Wanyama et al 2016) also studied the intensity of adoption; the amount of seed and area of land that adopting farmers used for cultivation.…”

Epidemic network analysis for mitigation of invasive pathogens in seed systems: Potato in Ecuador

“…CONPAPA's cooperative model, combined with the seed quality assessment system could help to overcome issues of access and household economic insecurity that determined participation in formal seed systems elsewhere (Okello et al 2016). This could have important consequences since potato is becoming increasingly important as a staple crop in areas where informal seed systems prevail (Devaux et al 2014).…”

Climate Change Challenges and Knowledge Gaps in Smallholder Potato Production: The Case of Mauche Ward in Nakuru County, Kenya

“…Approximately two thirds of production is consumed as food with the balance being used for animal feed, potato starch in pharmaceuticals, textiles and adhesives. Potato is a staple food and cash crop in the tropical highland regions of sub-Saharan Africa, where it is grown both as a horticultural crop due to its high value, and a food security crop (Okello et al, 2016). Potato yields in sub-Saharan Africa are very low, averaging 7.8 tons per hectare (FAO, 2015a).…”